Letters to the Editor
Democrats ensuring self-fulfilling prophesy
Hawai'i House Democrats passed a resolution April 11 to not participate in the federal No Child Left Behind program and to refuse federal funding for our schools. They claim our schools will never meet federal requirements. Under their leadership, they are right.
Let's see, now ... No Child Left Behind requires testing and teaching.
Testing is already required by state law (Act 197, 2002), the one the DOE is breaking because it says its $1.7 billion budget is not enough to cover testing our children.
Democratic solution: give back the federal funding.
The expected result: The only thing left is teaching, so we must assume they want to cut that.
Randy L. Prothero
Mililani
Women's commission has wider mandate
We found your April 3 editorial on the Commission on the Status of Women deeply troubling. The editorial failed to explain the significance of the commission as a core function of government. While we need to tighten the state's budget, this core function of government should be one of the last programs considered for elimination.
Perhaps the name of the commission itself is a misnomer and needs to be updated. The commission's work is not limited simply to gender equity and the status of women. The purpose of the commission has evolved since the 1964 executive order that formed it, and it now includes a broader mandate of bettering the lives of family and the social health and fabric of our community. These values are intrinsically tied to the status and role of a woman within our society.
The monitoring and evaluating of this status and role are critical in Hawai'i, where almost 47 percent of single females with children live in poverty and where 66 percent of women with children under the age of 6 are working.
If the commission is not funded by the state, it will die. The collaboration, cooperation and network of agencies, private and nonprofit organizations statewide, especially during these times of scarce resources, exist because of the work of the commission.
The health, safety and social justice of women, family and community cannot be relegated to second-class status because of budget and cost implications. These are core functions of government and help improve the condition of vulnerable women, families and communities. One hundred thousand dollars is a justifiable amount and a cheap price to pay to fulfill this purpose.
Rep. Marilyn Lee
Rep. Hermina Morita
Lingle must invite Japanese to Hawai'i
As an international student from Japan, I support Gov. Lingle's visit to Japan and speech on TV to tell the people how safe Hawai'i is as a travel destination.
As we all know, the world is facing a tough situation, with Hawai'i no exception. According to the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, tension created by the war in Iraq and the danger of SARS are discouraging Japanese from coming to Hawai'i. Along with reduced flights by some airlines, local hospitality, travel and tourism industries for sure are going through a hard time. As a result, it will be inevitable that Hawai'i's people are again threatened and challenged both economically and emotionally.
Therefore, the governor must take significant action by flying to Japan and talking about Hawai'i's safety to encourage Japanese to not hesitate to visit Hawai'i.
Aya Oguma
Pro-war bystanders were disrespectful
I disagree with Mike Leidemann's characterization ("Military, protest traditions learn to coexist" April 6), that there is mutual respect between the military and protesters. He fails to distinguish, as activists must, between the military — a powerful institution — and the individuals in the military.
When I referred to aloha in our protests, I meant that activists in Hawai'i are moved by a deep sense of love and justice for humanity and the 'aina. This does not mean that we "speak softly." It means that we strive to be principled in our struggle.
I don't know of any anti-war activist who has physically attacked a pro-war demonstrator. On the other hand, at several peace events, I was verbally and physically assaulted by pro-war bystanders who could only yell obscenities and use violence to make their point. Other anti-war activists have had their cars vandalized and death threats left on their voicemail.
These are not signs of respect.
Kyle Kajihiro
American Friends Service Committee Hawai'i
Bus driver, local riders made trip wonderful
I just wanted to take a few minutes out of my day to publicly acknowledge the wonderful bus drivers on the beautiful island of O'ahu.
Last Saturday night, I found myself stranded in the middle of (what seemed to me) nowhere when a bus picked me up and took me all the way to my hotel's doorstep — some 60 miles away — and only for a buck and a half. Not only was the transit a blessing, but so was the company of the driver and locals riding the bus.
This was the first time I had been to Hawai'i, and having grown up in Brooklyn, N.Y., I was pleasantly surprised to find so many real, down-to-earth people living in your tropical paradise, much like my hometown.
From that simple bus trip, I have come to love your island and will start saving money so I can bring my family there for a nice vacation. Thanks again for your hospitality.
John Flynn
Fairbanks, Alaska
Sales tax increase would be gift of love
I support the proposed 0.5-percentage-point excise tax increase for better educational programs in Hawai'i.
Rather than considering it an added tax burden, we should think of it as a gift of love or an investment for our future. If we can afford to spend $20,000 on merchandise a year, we can afford to pay an extra $100 in excise tax to help provide better public school education for the next generation.
I am quite sure that low-income families would gladly pay a little extra excise tax, knowing that the small sacrifices they would make today may help to provide better career opportunities for their children in the future.
"Knowledge is power." Our children are the future of this country. The more educated our children are, the stronger our country will become. It is every citizen's responsibility to help keep this country strong. So, if we love our country, we should be willing to support our children to become better educated.
Cecilia Graybeal
How can medical marijuana be good?
I have observed with profound sadness, for several years, that The Honolulu Advertiser editorial staff has not met a toxic, tar-laden medical marijuana initiative that it didn't like or vigorously embrace.
What part of a hot carbon from a burning cigarette, bowl or bong is a good medicine? I continue to be mystified by your contentions that a cigarette is a good or helpful medicine.
Jeanette McDougal
Dodged cleanup bullet
I am glad to hear that the city may have to pay for the cleanup of the illegal dump.
Whew! I was afraid that the taxpayers might have to pay for it, again!
Roger Hutchings
